Information on classes and lectures

Purpose of the course

Modern medicine is based on documented and verified results of scientific research. It is on their basis that new drugs and procedures are registered. A physician should know and understand how these studies are conducted. We also want medical graduates to be conscious and critical recipients of materials advertising drugs and other medical supplies. 

Properly conducted studies give an unambiguous answer regarding the effectiveness of a treatment method. They allow to distinguish drugs from pseudo drugs. No study has proven the effectiveness of homeopathic "remedies" and there is no theoretical basis that could justify their mechanism of action. Their use is therefore a denial of Evidence Based Medicine (EBM).

During the class we will show what criteria should be met by the research in order for its results to be considered reliable. We emphasize the importance of their verification in many centers. We raise issues of ethics in animal research.

We present the students with the path from concept to implementation of a medicinal product, which consists of a series of stages that culminate in clinical trials. We discuss the principles according to which medical research projects are conducted so that future doctors become critical readers of scientific papers. Our goal is for students who have taken the course to be able to plan a simple study in which they will clearly define a research hypothesis, apply appropriate methods, and subject the obtained results to appropriate statistical analysis. Based on these results, students should be able to draw correct conclusions, the veracity of which they will be able to defend in a discussion. 

Classes in the subject are also conducted by cooperating university units.  Classes on the basics of EBM are conducted by the team of the Department of Pediatrics headed by Professor Hanna Szajewska. Practical classes in applied statistics are conducted by the team of the Department of Medical Informatics and Telemedicine, headed by Prof. Andrzej Cacko. Medical law and protection of intellectual property are taught at the Department of Health Economics and Medical Law, directed by Prof. Aleksandra Czerw. The Department's faculty team is also supported by staff from the Department of Regenerative Medicine and the Department of Experimental and Clinical Physiology.

Rules of conducting classes

Classes are conducted using the e-learning platform and in groups with teaching assistants, according to the schedules posted on our website in the tabs for each course. Access to classes conducted by the Department is available after logging in to the platform with the same data as in the WUM SSL-VPN system. 

Absences from classes must be made up at another time. This is possible only by prior arrangement with the Department, subject to availability. Inquiries in this matter should be directed to: metodologia@wum.edu.pl 

All questions and comments concerning the course should be sent to metodologia@wum.edu.pl